One boy with the power to save the world. One man with the will to destroy it.

The chilling, unputdownable new standalone thriller from Dean Koontz, the master of suspense.

'The master of our darkest dreams' The Times

A mother, a boy, and a desperate battle against the night.

Woody Bookman hasn't spoken a word in his eleven years of life. Not when his father died in a freak accident. Not when his mother Megan tells him she loves him.

For Megan, keeping her boy safe and happy is what matters. But Woody believes a monstrous evil is behind his father's death and now threatens him and his mother. And he's not alone in his thoughts. An ally unknown to him is listening.

Woody's fearful suspicions are taking shape. A malicious man driven by evil has set a depraved plan into motion. And he's coming after Woody and his mother. The reasons are primal. His powers are growing. And he's not alone.

The gripping new crime thriller from the No.1 Sunday Times bestseller

About the Author

Dean Koontz is the author of more than a dozen New York Times No. 1 bestsellers. His books have sold over 500 million copies worldwide, and his work is published in 38 languages.

He was born and raised in Pennsylvania and lives with his wife Gerda, and their dog Elsa, in southern California.

Reviews

Praise for Dean Koontz:

An incredible saga ... terrific ...' Washington Post

'Part sci-fi, part mystery, all thriller... one to anticipate' The Courier-Mail

Praise for The Crooked Staircase:

'A gripping read ... a page-turner to dive into this summer' Washington Post

'Koontz's leanest, meanest thriller ... introduces a smart, appealing heroine who can outthink as well as outshoot the baddest of bad dudes' Kirkus Reviews

'Humour, humanity and horror, the classic Koontz concoction' The Times

'Dean Koontz is not just a master of our darkest dreams, but also a literary juggler' The Times

'A terrific pursuit story ... clever, up-to-the-minute, and riveting' Guardian

'There's surprise after surprise, including a killer finale ... a read-in-one-go novel' Independent on Sunday

'Psychologically complex, masterly and satisfying' The New York Times

'A master at the peak of his powers' Matt Haig, author of How to Stop Time

'A mind-bender filled with satisfying surprises' People

Book Information
ISBN 9780008291327
Author Dean Koontz
Format Paperback
Page Count 376
Imprint HarperCollins
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 270g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 24mm